Grace O'Sullivan (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank Dr. Reidy for the presentation. I absolutely agree with the contributions from both of my colleagues. The Green Party is very supportive of evidence-based research that will provide information to enable and allow our democracy to develop and to give us the information on those who do not vote, the younger voter and why some people come out for one referendum and not another. It is really important that this research is enabled and carried out, but in an independent way. How do we ensure the research is independent and not skewed one way or another in support of whoever is funding it?

It is very important in a strong democracy that younger people come out to vote. Why are they disenfranchised? Is there research in other countries where there is more success in bringing younger voters to the ballot box? If not, it is absolutely important that we know why they are not coming out.

I am interested in the witnesses' views on a voting age of 16. From their research so far would the witnesses have findings that support younger people being enabled to vote? I had a short discussion earlier with Senator Boyhan about this kind of apprentice opportunity from the age of 16 to sign onto the register. I would be interested in hearing more about that.

I was part of the Seanad reform implementation group and the findings and outcome of that were issued just before December. One of the recommendations was that a commission would be set up to acknowledge the voter base and register. Could there be something done in co-ordinating a commission to cover the whole area and that it would not be exclusive to the Seanad? With whatever moneys that might be considered for being set aside for a Seanad commission, could we look at that funding in general terms of having an overall commission for looking at the register of electors?